That Great Street

On Monday, The Mister and I were downtown so I had a chance to stop in Macy's on State. I'll be back there again next week to deliver the new leatherette bags they ordered but usually on delivery days I don't get to walk around because I'm loaded down with bags and stuff. So Monday night we had time to kill and got to walk around the store.



The views from the 7th floor are quite nice - especially with the new Joffrey Ballet space. The Block 37 building (in the bottom corner of the pic below) is not very exciting so far. I hope there's going to be more to it.



We were downton because we had tickets to a Music of the Baroque concert at the Harris Theatre. (Thanks Fern!) This was my first visit to Harris Theatre, located deep below ground under Millenium Park. It's an interesting space. The seating didn't allow enough legroom - one of my theatre pet peeves. And being underground was a little weird, I must say. But the concert itself was lovely.

I Want to Take You Higher

There's been a lot of talk lately about legalizing or decriminalizing drugs. Honestly, this is something I've been talking about for years. It seems like elementary thinking to realize that legalizing drugs would cut down on gangs and violence associated with the drug trade. Additionally, it would free up a lot of resources - both financial and police manpower - for better uses.

I read a commmentary on CNN.com this morning that expressed an argument for the legalization of drugs pretty succinctly:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/cafferty.legal.drugs/index.html

Now, will this actually happen in my lifetime? Honestly, I don't know. For year we the public have been given a fair amount of misinformation about drugs. There's still a large portion of people who think that one toke of a joint and you're hooked for life, becoming a madman fiend who will stop at nothing for that next fix. Also, and this is getting into dangerous territory, I kinda think that our nation's drug policies have had a racial and socio-economic purpose as well. Case in point, possession of crack cocaine has meant more punishment than regular cocaine.

Anyway, probably a strange thing for me to talk about here but after I read the commentary on CNN I knew I had to share.

Interesting side note, after seeing Milk, The Mister is convinced I should become political. Perhaps decrimalization of drugs will be my big cause! Oh, and fighting for the right to marry The Mister, of course!

Since You Went Away

During the stretches when I'm not blogging much it's usually for one of three reasons. 1. I'm busy with bag production. 2. Sales are up and I'm too busy to blog. 3. I just don't feel like it. Over the past week it's been a combination of 1 and 2. OK, maybe with a little bit of 3 mixed in.

Redesigning the site and etsy store has paid off in a big way. Sales are up, hits to my site have increased, and, well, I feel so much better about it that it's making me more confident.

The changes at the store have also been a big help. I'm noticing increased traffic and more sales since painting and rearranging. And, again, I feel so much better about everything that I think I'm representing Zola Jones better. So as I sell, I continue to produce and the cycle of Zola Jones continues.

And then there's a little bit of number three, when I just don't feel like blogging. This has mostly been due to the fact that it's spring cleaning time. When I'm not at the store I'm more often than not doing some spring cleaning activity at home. Washing windows, laundering curtains, washing walls ... you know, cleaning away all the detritus of a midwestern winter.

Put the Bass in Your Walk

You've just gotta love couture shows! The theatricality of fashion can be so fun and whimsical. And it seems so far removed from our everyday wear. Although, you often see the extremes of couture eventually trickle down to ready-to-wear.

And, hell, if it would keep me warm during the long Chicago winters, I'd totally wear this:




(photos courtesy Chicago Tribune)

You've Got the Look

What's that up ahead in the distance? Why, it's a light! A light at the end of the tunnel! HOORAY!

Over the past few days I've been occupying myself with the task of creating a new look for Zola Jones. In a time of economic uncertainty changing the look of my business seems like the easiest and most cost effective way to improve my business.



And you know what? It seems to be working. Not only do I feel better about Zola Jones, which in turn gives me more confidence in my product and my business, but I can see that customers are appreciating the new efforts as well. Sales at the store have improved, hits on the new website are up, and the number of hits at my Etsy shop have increased a great deal. And all this from a simple little branding facelift.

So, yes, the website is all new - if you haven't been to zolajonesdesigns.com recently, take a look.

There are more plans and changes to come. I don't want to release all my plans in one post, though, so you'll have to check back for me later!

Singed Sealed Devlivered

Well, it's official. Zola Jones is staying put in the current Ravenswood digs until at least April 2010. You may not know this but when I noticed that my lease ends April 30th, I initially considering closing the store and maybe even shutting Zola Jones down completely. I expect 2009 to be a very difficult year but I hope to come out on the other side a better business.

On the Way Home

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: zola.jones@gmail.com

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00
To: Flickr email<square90hot@photos.flickr.com>
Subject: On the Way Home

Sometimes I adore the CTA. However, shortly after shooting this image, I realized it was time for a driver change ... Which meant five minutes idle time.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Do You Know Where You're Going To?

Behold: the new logo! Thanks to Emily for helping with the design.

Turn A World On

I just smelled this as it passed my table . . . If I limit myself to one scotch I can order it for dessert.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sometimes It's Hard Being a Woman

Over the past few weeks I've been watching Rupaul's Drag Race during slow periods at the store. And, I must say, I love it! This is surprising to me because I usually find drag queens ... oh, what's the word? Annoying? Distasteful? Some combo of the two? What, a handbag designing gay guy who doesn't like drag queens? That doesn't sound right! But what can I say? I like my men to be men.

Rupaul's Drag Race (which you can watch online here) has totally changed my opinion though. I can now see drag as being an art - and, really, it's a great expression of fashion as well.

Plus, this week's surprise guest on RDR is Charo. CHARO! O how I love me some Charo! She's like Latin America's Dolly Parton!



So, what, now you're waiting for me to tell you that I'm going to be a Charo impersonating drag queen? Not quite. Although, if the economy doesn't get better, it's a thought! Whatever pays the bills, you know. So I'll just be over her practicing my 'coochie-coochie'!

Supermodel of the World

Today I am doing a photo shoot of the new line of leatherette bags. Finally. I've had this little shoot planned a couple of times but have been forced to cancel due to weather. Today, however, the sun is shining, my camera's batteries are charged, and my model is ready for me. I hope to post the pics tomorrow.

I'm also redesigning my logo. (Oh, yes, it's going to be an all new Zola Jones for 2009!) I've been limping along with a pretty lame logo for some time now. And, at this point, I think my future growth is contingent on new marketing materials. I think so anyway. I also wonder whether consumers even notice logos or how polished websites look. I think that a professional logo and polished website give the consumer a subconscious confidence in a product. Those who are in design related fields may take particular notice of a company's identity, but for the average consumer I'm sure it's all subconscious.

Down, Down

Lately I've been wondering if this recession/depression/whatever-you-want-to-call-it might actually work out for me. See, I've been thinkign that if I can weather the storm long enough, there won't be many retailers left! And if all those other stores are closing, shoppers will have fewer options, thus driving them to Zola Jones. I'd prefer that shoppers are driven to Zola Jones by their desire for quality handcrafted merchandise but, hey, I'll take what I can get.

I've been quite occupied with new designs lately, which is why I haven't been blogging much. Plus, I'm really trying to get my new website and marketing materials together. It's slow going but I'll get there eventually.

IMG00093-20090301-1004.jpg

I've been suffering a terrible case of the SADS lately. And it can be blamed entirely on the weather. I AM SO FINISHED WITH WINTER! So you can imagine my frustration when I awoke this morning to the sight of snow. SNOW! Ugh . . .

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